Nokia's digital mapping arm Navteq launched on Monday an indoor mapping service enabling shopkeepers or retailers to better target consumers. Navteq's Destination Maps covers more than 200 of the largest shopping centers in the United States with expansion plans for more shopping centers and other types of destinations throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Navteq's decision to look seriously at building up its indoor map coverage shows the continued importance of leadership in location based services and content to Nokia, particularly as it looks to capitalize on that value in working with Microsoft, said Canalys analyst Tim Shepherd.

Navteq's key rivals are TomTom and Google.

(Reporting by Tarmo Virki; Editing by Louise Heavens)

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